Whatever response he had been expecting, it wasn’t that. “I am.”
“I like your house.”
The boy smiled and stuck out his hand. “I’m Stephen, this is Martha, and I do, too. Like your house I mean. Do you have any other hidden passages?”
That hadn’t gone as planned. He heard a sound that reminded him of someone laughing.
Stephen’s eyes grew round. “What was that?”
Deuce take it, Thea was going to give herself away. “The cat.”
As if he’d been shoved from behind, Cyrille suddenly appeared from the bed hangings. Dom caught Martha as she stepped forward. “He can go into the corridor with you.” He picked up Cyrille before opening the main door to his chamber. “What are you two doing up and around?”
“We were looking for Dotty,” Stephen replied.
Martha nodded. “She’s always up early, but her maid said she’d see us at breakfast.”
Casting a glance back to the bed, Dom stepped out of his room and closed the door. “Go find your nursemaids.” He escorted the pair to the stairs leading to the schoolroom floor. “If you wish to break your fast in the breakfast room with your sister, you must be properly dressed.”
The children scampered up the stairs, and he turned back to his dressing room. Fortunately, Wigman was ready for him.
Less than a half hour later, he walked into the breakfast room to find Thea with the children. She was cutting a piece of ham into pieces for her sister.
Pausing at the door, he took in the scene, and decided he liked it. Although in his vision Thea was helping their child.
She glanced at him and grinned. “Good morning. Did you sleep well?”
Minx.Two could play this game. “I did. Very well, indeed. There is something about having company that causes me to get more rest.”
Her eyes danced wickedly. “Ah, I take it Cyrille spent the night with you?”
Martha looked up. “He’s a pretty cat, but he makes strange noises.”
Thea widened her eyes at her sister. “Does he indeed? What sort of noises?”
“This morning he laughed.”
Struggling to keep a straight face, Dom glanced at Thea. “If you think that is odd, you should have heard him moan—”
“If that is the case,” she said primly, “you might wish to call the doctor.”
“Hmm.” He filled his plate. “I think you may be right. If things keep on the way they are, a doctor will most definitely be required for a consultation.” He took the seat on the other side of her. “I do not believe I have ever been so hungry.”
“That is what Dotty said before you came in.” Martha helped herself to a piece of ham. “I think you are both being silly.”
He and Thea exchanged a glance. “There is nothing wrong with being silly.”
Or happy, or in love.
* * *
Not long after the rest of Dotty’s family joined them for breakfast, Paken entered the room. “My lord, miss. There is a gentleman here to see you.”
Dom raised a brow.
“About Master Tom.”
She started to scoot her chair back when a footman sprang to assist her. “Show him into the study, Paken. His lordship and I will be there directly.”
